First, figure out what you have
Note whether the tank sits on the basement floor, outside in the yard, or is buried, and whether it's still connected and used. Collect the last delivery date and any service, removal or permit records. “Empty,” “disconnected” and “removed” are different things, so don't treat them as the same until a professional or a record confirms which one is true.
If the tank is still in use
The Pennsylvania DEP's tank-owner tips say to call an oil-burner technician if you see unstable legs, rust, weeps or wet spots, drips at the filter or valves, stains around the fill or vent pipe, or oil use that's higher than normal. DEP also warns that tanks rust from the inside out, and that “a freshly painted tank does not mean that it is structurally sound.” Look from where you stand, and don't move the tank, loosen fittings or try a repair. Our oil boiler replacement guide covers what to ask when the heating equipment is being replaced too.
If you're retiring the tank
For a buried tank, DEP's residential heating oil page recommends written quotes from at least two reputable environmental professionals. Ask each quote to spell out who removes the leftover oil, how the tank is cleaned and disposed of, how the excavation is backfilled, and what gets checked for contamination once the tank is out.
The pipes outside matter as much as the tank. DEP has documented oil delivered into basements through fill pipes for tanks that had already been removed. Ask the contractor to remove the fill and vent lines, or permanently seal both ends, and tell your oil company in writing to stop deliveries.
Anyone digging must call PA One Call (8-1-1) first, which DEP lists as a requirement for excavators. Our guide to digging in Pennsylvania explains how that request works. If someone suggests leaving a buried tank in the ground instead of removing it, ask for the local rule that allows it and a written description of how it will be closed.
The Philadelphia permit
In Philadelphia, removing a heating oil tank needs a building permit from L&I for hazardous material tanks, and the application has to come from a licensed contractor. L&I lists a $25 filing fee for one- and two-family homes, $158 per tank, and $3 City and $4.50 state surcharges. Online tank-removal applications are reviewed within five business days, and you get a Certificate of Approval after the inspections. On a rowhome block, note that removing an underground tank within five feet of a neighbor's building also requires an engineer's report. You can track the permit and inspections online.
In Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties, ask your township's building or code office which permits and inspections apply before work starts.
Buying or selling a house with a tank
DEP's heating oil tank brochure tells buyers to have the tank inspected and look for signs of spills, and warns that a buyer generally takes on the tank's liability along with the house. Ask for service records, removal paperwork, permits and disposal receipts, and confirm whether the home inspection actually includes the tank. A search of DEP's storage tank data won't settle it either way, because home heating oil tanks aren't on DEP's registered-tank lists. Federal underground tank rules don't cover them either, according to the EPA. Take unresolved questions to your real estate attorney.
If you smell oil or find a leak
Report it to DEP. For Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, that's the Southeast Regional Office in Norristown at 484-250-5900, or 1-800-541-2050 for emergencies between 4 PM and 8 AM, according to the brochure. DEP recommends reporting all heating oil spills because homeowners usually can't judge the effect on water. Don't dig, enter the tank or clean up contaminated soil yourself. The brochure also notes that leak cleanups may not be covered by homeowner's insurance, so call your insurer early.
DEP's cleanup reimbursement program helps only with releases from buried tanks of 3,000 gallons or less. It doesn't pay to remove a tank that isn't leaking, and it excludes aboveground and basement-floor tanks, heating system replacement and new tanks. If you're switching fuels, our oil-to-heat-pump guide covers who should handle the tank as part of that job.